Flexible vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

A method for selecting and controlling massage functions of a motor vehicle seat having a control system comprising the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; providing a menu list having options for querying the user&#39;s requirements during the massage; selection of an option by the user and providing predefined responses to the respective query and selection of the response by the user and if necessary repeating the steps for further queries; and terminating the selection mode and automatically determining suitable massage settings on the basis of the user&#39;s selection and controlling the massage actuators in the motor vehicle seat on the basis of determined massage settings to perform the massage function.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/598,448 filed Jan. 16, 2015, entitled “FLEXIBLE VEHICLE SEAT,”which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/951,174 filed on Jul. 25, 2013, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FORCONTROLLING MASSAGE FUNCTIONS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT,” which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for selecting and controlling massagefunctions of a motor vehicle seat and a corresponding device. The objectof this invention is to provide a method for controlling and selectingmassage functions of a motor vehicle seat, which method renders possiblea simple and intuitive adjustment. This object is achieved by way of themethod described herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally known to equip seats in motor vehicles with massagefunctions, for example for the lumbar supports and the actual seatingsurface. However, it is problematic for the user to operate the controlsystem in a simple and intuitive manner, especially as the driver mustperform the method whilst driving. It is usually necessary to reach acompromise between the variety of controls and the level of detail andalso the level of simplicity and the model provided. Known systems arefrequently complex and laborious to use, which results in the driveraverting his or her attention in an undesired manner from steering thevehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for selectingand controlling massage functions provided to a user in a motor vehicleseat having a control system includes the steps of switching the systemto a selection mode and starting the selection mode. A menu list isprovided having options for querying requirements of a user during amassage. Predefined responses are provided to the respective query. Theresponse is selected by the user and if necessary the steps for furtherqueries are repeated. The selection mode is terminated. Suitable massagesettings are automatically determined on the basis of the selection ofthe user. Massage actuators are controlled in the motor vehicle seat onthe basis of determined massage settings to perform the massagefunction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method foroperating a massage assembly for a motor vehicle seat includes the stepsof starting a selection mode and querying massage preferences of a user.Predefined responses are provided to each preference for selection bythe user. The selection mode is terminated and suitable massage settingsare provided based on selections of the user. Massage actuators arecontrolled in the motor vehicle seat based on the massage settings toperform a massage function.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a vehicleseating assembly massage device includes a seat and a seatback. Aninterface includes a display. A control is operably coupled to thedisplay. Massage preferences are provided to a user by the display. Thecontrol provides predefined responses to each preference for selectionby the user. Seat and seatback massage actuators are coupled to thecontrol and are configured to receive instructions from the control toperform a massage function.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and details of the invention are evident from thefollowing description of the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective and schematic view of a motor vehicleseat;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary menu for querying whether the user issuffering any pain;

FIG. 3 illustrates a query with the support of an avatar;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic flow diagram for selecting andcontrolling massage functions of the motor vehicle seat;

FIG. 5 illustrates a further schematic flow diagram for selecting andcontrolling massage functions of the motor vehicle seat;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to anotherembodiment having a plurality of air bladders disposed therein;

FIGS. 7A-7C are perspective views of the vehicle seat of FIG. 6 shown atvarious inflation levels;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a seat portion of the vehicleseat of FIG. 6 having a cover removed;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a seatback portion of the vehicle seatof FIG. 6 having a cover removed;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the seat portion of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the seat portion of FIG. 8 with a supportplate;

FIGS. 12A-12B are perspective views of the vehicle seat of FIG. 6showing the support plate at various angles; and

FIGS. 13A-13B are perspective views of the vehicle seat of FIG. 12Ashowing the support plate at various angles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

In accordance with the invention it has become known, that an extensivesimplification of the selection method and intuitive operation can beachieved if, within the framework of the method for selecting andcontrolling massage functions massage functions of a motor vehicle seatthat includes a control system, a menu list is provided in the selectionmode, which menu list includes options for querying the user'srequirements during the massage, the user selects an option and for thispurpose the menu list displays predefined responses to the respectivequery and the response is selected by the user (from the responsesprovided). If necessary, these steps are repeated for further queries.Finally, the selection mode is terminated, suitable massage settings areautomatically defined on the basis of the response selected by the userand the massage actuators in the motor vehicle seat are activated toperform the massage function on the basis of the specific massagesettings. In other words, the user is purposefully consulted and canselect from the options provided. A massage is defined on the basis ofthe user's responses and the actuators in the vehicle seat arecorrespondingly activated. As a consequence, the user is guided to theappropriate and desired setting of the massage functions.

In one embodiment, the options include queries relating to physicalailments and/or pains that can be alleviated by means of a massage.Predefined responses are provided in accordance with the invention. Thepredefined responses include a list of the ranges of the respectivephysical ailments and/or pains that can be alleviated. In one aspect ofthe invention, the user is initially queried to determine whether theuser is in pain. As a response, a list appears that specifies back,neck, pelvis or buttock pains and/or stiffness or numbness etc. Inaddition, it is expedient if the options list includes queries relatingto the physical characteristics (such as weight, age, height etc.) ofthe user. A list of ranges of the respective physical characteristics isin turn provided for the user to make a selection from the predefinedresponses. In addition, it is desired if the menu list includes theoption for the user to select his or her desired massage characteristicsand if the predefined responses include information relating to usualmassage characteristics (a heavy massage, a gentle massage, morepressure on top or lower down etc.).

In another embodiment, interaction with the user (options, responses,etc.) is performed with the support of an avatar. An avatar is anartificial person or graphic representation of a real person in thevirtual world, for example in a computer. The graphic representationexists to reduce the inhibition threshold of the interaction and tofacilitate the interaction. The graphic representation can be supportedand/or guided by speech while implementing and/or accepting the optionsand responses. A menu list is provided in an expedient manner, whichmenu list includes options for querying the user's requirements duringthe massage and provides the user with the facility to respond to thequery. The menu list provides predefined responses to the respectivequery and to the selected response provided by the user and if necessarythe menu list repeats the step for further queries using a displaydevice and an operating element. It is contemplated that interfacedevices, such as an LCD display, a touch screen display, and aloudspeaker, can be used as a possible display device. 5-positionbuttons and touch screen displays and microphones have each proven to bepossible operating elements. It is also feasible to control the systemby way of so-called mobile phone apps (programs) by way of which themobile phone is able to control the system remotely.

With reference to the embodiment generally illustrated in FIG. 1,reference numeral 1 generally designates a seat in accordance with thepresent invention, wherein the transparency renders a view of theinterior of the seat possible. The seat 1 includes a head support 2,which head support is arranged at the top on a back rest 3, which backrest is in turn coupled to the actual seat 4 by way of a hinge joint 5that can be adjusted. In this case, the seat 1 is supported by a sheetsteel frame 11, which frame is arranged under the actual seating surfaceand is connected to the vehicle. The back rest 3 includes an overlay 6that includes an approximately S-shaped longitudinal section, whichoverlay is anatomically formed for the back of the occupant and isdelimited at the sides by protruding fins 7 that provide the occupantwith lateral support. The actual seat 4 likewise includes an overlay 9that defines the actual seating surface. Protruding fins 8 are alsoprovided on the sides in this case, which fins provide the occupant withsupport, in particular as the vehicle negotiates bends. The overlay 9 isembodied from a foam block 10 formed from a suitable natural—and/orsynthetic material, which can be upholstered using a suitable materialsuch as leather. It is necessary for the overlay to include theconventional and known characteristics, such as to provide cushioning,to absorb shocks, to transport moisture etc. In addition it is possibleto provide heating and/or cooling devices in the overlay.

A support plate 12 that is embodied from a stiff material is providedunder the foam block 10, as can be easily recognized in FIG. 1. Thesupport plate 12 in this case is arranged under the rear region of theseating surface, which is generally occupied by the buttocks of theoccupant. An air cushion 13 is provided under the support plate 12 andabove the frame 11, in other words between the support plate 12 and theframe 11, which air cushion by way of a controller, not illustrated,valves and compressor renders it possible to adjust and improve theshock absorbing characteristics of the seat by means of adjusting theair pressure even when the vehicle is travelling. The controller canautomatically regulate the air pressure in the air cushion 13 after thedata that is provided by the sensors regarding the driving situation andthe occupant has been evaluated. A manual adjustment, input orintervention into the automatic control process is also feasible.

The seat 1 also includes further air cushions 15, 17, 16 and 14 in thefins 7 and 8, the overlay 6 and the head support 2, which air cushionsare used to perform the massage and to adjust the contour. The aircushions can likewise be used and/or regulated by way of the previouslymentioned controller. In addition in the event of a vehicle collision,the air cushions can be inflated and used as additional impactprotection, in order to prevent the occupant making contact with themetal frame 11 of the seat. Four additional air cushions 13 are providedunder the actual seat 9 between the support plate 12 and the frame 11.The air cushions are arranged in this case in such a manner, that theylie under the corners of the approximately rectangular seating surface.The four mutually independently controllable and inflatable air cushions13 under the support plate 12 vertically position the support plate 12making it possible to tilt the support plate 12 about two axes thatextend parallel to the plane of the seat surface and that extendperpendicular relative to one other. As a consequence, the pelvis of theoccupant can be tilted from the front towards the rear and from the reartowards the front. This is relaxing and is used, for example, duringspinal gymnastics. It is particularly helpful to tilt the pelvis in thismanner in order avoid back pain. This movement can be coupled with atilting movement from left to right, so that the fatigue associated withthe pelvic movement caused by the alternating periodic tensing andrelaxing of muscles is avoided in a particularly efficient manner. As aconsequence, it is clear that extremely different massage shapes,intensities and duration periods are possible by virtue of theprogrammed control of the air cushions and zones. By way of example, themethod for selecting and controlling massage functions is describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 2-4. An exemplary menu M to query theexistence of pain and/or physical ailments having predefined responsesfor selection by the user using a touch screen display T of a motorvehicle dashboard is illustrated in FIG. 2.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, pain and/or physicalailments in the lower back region 20, pain in the upper back region 21,tensing of back muscles 22, back stiffness 23 and numbness of thebuttocks 24 are options listed for the user to make a selection by meansof pressing and/or touching the corresponding response field. Thecomputer in the massage control system ascertains the optimal massagefor alleviating the pain with reference to the field that is selected bythe user. For example, as noted above, the user may touch the display,provide verbal input, etc., and the air cushions 13 to 17 are controlledaccordingly. A corresponding query that is supported by an avatar A on adisplay D is illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the process of querying thephysical ailments 20-24 is supported by speech by way of a loudspeaker Land the input is provided by way of a microphone M.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of the method in accordance with theinvention for selecting and controlling massage functions of the motorvehicle seat illustrated in FIG. 1 by way of the touch screen display Tillustrated in FIG. 2. The selection mode is initially started in step30 and then the first question is posed in the next step 31, for examplea menu M is displayed on a touch screen display T of a motor vehicledashboard for querying the existence of pain and/or physical ailmentswith predefined responses for selection by the user. In step 31, painand/or physical ailments in the lower back region 20, pain in the upperback region 21, tensing of back muscles 22, back stiffness 23 andnumbness of the buttocks 24 are listed for the user to make a selectionby means of pressing and/or touching the corresponding response field.The response is fixed in step 31 by the user touching the screen displayto select the field. In the steps 32 and 33, a number of questionsfollow in a similar manner, in this example there are three morequestions. Finally, in step 34, the optimal massage for alleviating painis defined by the computer in the massage control system (x). For thispurpose, a database of comparative values is consulted, the values arecompared with the user's responses and subsequently the optimal massagefunction is selected. In step 35, the air cushions 13 to 17 arecontrolled accordingly.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of the method in accordance with theinvention for selection and control of massage functions of the motorvehicle seat in FIG. 1 with reference to the touch screen display Tillustrated in FIG. 2. The selection mode is initially started in step36 and then the first question is posed in the next step 37, for examplea menu M is displayed on a touch screen display T of a motor vehicledashboard for querying the existence of pain and/or physical ailmentswith predefined responses for selection by the user. In step 37 painand/or physical ailments in the lower back region 20, pain in the upperback region 21, tensing of back muscles 22, back stiffness 23 andnumbness of the buttocks 24 are listed for the user to make a selectionby means of pressing and/or touching the corresponding response field.The response is fixed in step 38 by the user touching the screen displayto select the field. A second question is posed by the computer of themassage control system in step 39 depending upon the response to thequestion in step 38. A response can also be given here in a similarmanner to that in step 38, whereupon further questions can follow. InFIG. 5, a third question is then posed in step 41. In step 43, theoptimal massage for alleviating the ailments of the user and/or to allowthe user to rest is determined according to the response in step 42 tothe last question. The air cushions 13 to 17 are then controlledaccording to the selected massage.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of a vehicle seat 50 isshown. The vehicle seat 50 generally includes a substantially horizontalseat portion 56 and a seatback 58 having a headrest assembly 59 disposedon an upper portion thereof. It is contemplated that the seatback 58 isa pivoting member configured for pivotal movement relative to the seatportion 56. The seat portion 56 includes a central portion 56C havingprotruding fins 56A, 56B on opposite sides thereof. The protruding fins56A, 56B are generally disposed at an inward angle towards the centralportion 56C of the seat portion 56 and are configured to provide supportfor a vehicle occupant while a vehicle, in which the vehicle seat 50 isdisposed, is in motion. Similarly, the seatback 58 includes protrudingfins 58A, 58B which are also configured to support a vehicle occupantand are generally angled towards a central portion 58C of the seatback58. In FIG. 6, the vehicle seat 50 is shown having a cover 57 which iscontemplated to be comprised of a suitable natural or syntheticmaterial, or any combination thereof, used to generally cover orupholster the vehicle seat 50. As shown in phantom in FIG. 6, thevehicle seat 50 includes a series of air bladders 61-64 disposed incentral portion 56C of the seat portion 56, as well as a series of airbladders 71-73 disposed in the central portion 58C of the seatback 58.Further, air bladders 65, 66 are shown disposed in protruding fins 56A,56B of seat portion 56, and air bladders 74, 75 are shown disposed inprotruding fins 58A, 58B of seatback 58. The air bladders 61-66, 71-75are configured to fill with air to a select inflation level in responseto an input by a vehicle occupant relative to a select comfort settingchosen by the vehicle occupant, as described above. In this way, the airbladders 61-66, 71-75 are each configured to selectively inflate,semi-inflate, or deflate relative to a specific comfort setting selectedby the vehicle occupant to provide a customized support setting.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C, the vehicle seat 50 is shown in a deflatedor unfilled inflation level D (FIG. 7A), a semi-inflated inflation levelE (FIG. 7B), and a fully inflated inflation level F (FIG. 7C). In thefully inflated inflation level F (FIG. 7C), the air bladders 61-66,71-75 have been filled to a maximum capacity to provide firm support fora vehicle occupant. In the semi-inflated inflation level E (FIG. 7B),the air bladders 61-66, 71-75 have been semi-filled with air to providea customized cushioned support for a vehicle occupant. In the fullydeflated or unfilled inflation level D shown in FIG. 7A, the vehicleseat 50 is generally supported by a cushion material disposed in theseat portion 56 and the seatback 58, over which the air bladders 61-66,71-75 generally reside. While the air bladders 61-66, 71-75 are coveredby cover 57 (FIG. 6) in FIGS. 7A-7C, their location is contemplated tobe the same as shown in FIG. 6 and made apparent in FIGS. 7B and 7C asthe air bladders 61-66, 71-75 are semi-filled and fully filled with air,respectively.

With further reference to FIG. 7B, the air bladders 61-66, 71-75 are inthe semi-inflated inflation level E. At this inflation level E, theseries of air bladders 61-64 disposed in central portion 56C of the seatportion 56 provide for a cushioning or pillow effect for a vehicleoccupant, as seated thereon.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the seat portion 56 is shown having a cushionmaterial 80 which generally supports the vehicle occupant in use. Thecushion material 80 is generally supported on a metal frame 81 similarto metal frame 11 described above. It is further contemplated that theseatback portion 58 (FIG. 6) also includes a similar arrangement ofmetal frame components having cushion material supported thereon. Theair bladders 61-66 (FIG. 2) are generally supported on the cushionmaterial 80 and further covered by the cover 57 (FIG. 2) in assembly. Aninflation system 82 includes air passageways 84 for inflating airbladders 71-75 to any one of the inflation levels D-F noted above. Theinflation system 82 further includes air passageways 85 (FIG. 10) forinflating air bladders 61-66 to any one of the inflation levels D-Fnoted above. The seat portion 56 further includes a support plate 86which is generally supported on the air bladders 61-66 (FIG. 2) inassembly. It is contemplated that the air bladders 61-66 are eachselectively inflatable by way of a controller interfaced with the touchscreen display T described above for adjusting a position of the supportplate 86, as further described below.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the seatback portion 58 is shown having aflexible upper portion 58D and air bladders 71-75 disposed in a lowerportion 58E of the seatback 58. As further shown in FIG. 9, airpassageways 84 are shown as providing inflation routes for air bladders71-73, and it is further contemplated that the air passageways 84 alsoprovide inflation routes for air bladders 74, 75 shown at 84A and 84B.Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10, air passageways 85 provide inflationroutes for air bladders 61-64 as disposed in the seat portion 56. Thus,it is contemplated that any one of the individual air bladders 61-66 ofthe seat portion 56 and air bladders 71-75 of the seatback 58 can beselectively and individually inflated to an inflation level as generallyrepresented in FIG. 7A-7C. Thus, each air bladder's inflation level isseparately controlled by the controller to fill the air bladders 61-66,71-75 to a predetermined inflation level. The semi-inflated inflationlevel E, shown in FIG. 7B, is illustrative of an infinitely variablesemi-inflated inflation level that lies between the deflated inflationlevel D (FIG. 7A) and the fully inflated inflation level F (FIG. 7C).

Referring now to FIG. 10, the support plate 86 is shown as a generallyplanar support plate which is supported by the individual air bladders61-64 (FIG. 10). Referring now to FIGS. 12A, 12B, the support plate 86is shown in various positions as dictated by the air bladders 61-64within the seat portion 56 of the vehicle seat 50. With specificreference to FIG. 12A, the support plate 86 is shown in a forward tiltposition G as supported by the air bladders 60. As used herein, thereference numeral 60 generally indicates the air bladders 61-64 asarranged in FIG. 10 as a support for the support plate 86. With specificreference to FIG. 12B, the air bladders 60 are shown supporting thesupport plate 86 in a rearward tilt position H.

With reference to FIGS. 13A, 13B, the support plate 86 is shownsupported by the air bladders 60 in various tilt positions. Withspecific reference to FIG. 13A, the support plate 86 is shown in a lefttilt position I. With specific reference to FIG. 13B, the support plate86 is shown supported by the air bladders 60 in a right tilt position J.Thus, the four independently controllable and inflatable air bladders61-64 under the support plate 86 position the support plate 86 making itpossible to tilt the support plate 86 about two axes that extendparallel to the plane of the seat surface and that extend perpendicularrelative to one other. As a consequence, the pelvis of the vehicleoccupant can be tilted from the front towards the rear and from the reartowards the front (FIGS. 12A, 12B). This movement can be coupled with atilting movement from left to right (FIGS. 13A, 13B).

The vehicle seat 50, as shown in FIG. 8, includes a cushion material 80that is generally made of a foam base which is covered in a fabric 57(FIG. 6). Generally, a standard vehicle seat, without an air bladderinflation system, may be somewhat rigid using only the cushion materialfor support. A standard vehicle seat does not visibly flex as a userchanges position. Due to the rigid nature of a standard vehicle seat,the weight of the user is not evenly distributed across the seat. Thus,the vehicle seat 50, as shown in FIG. 6, is capable of being inflated toa partial inflation setting, such as setting E shown in FIG. 7B. The airbladders 61-66, 71-75 are much more flexible than at the semi-inflatedinflation level E (FIG. 7B) as compared to the fully inflated airbladders 61-66, 71-75 at the fully-inflated inflation level F (FIG. 7C).The partially inflated air bladders 61-66, 71-75 allow for the cushionmaterial 80 to flex as the user readjusts in the vehicle seat 50 toredistribute weight after being in one position for a long period oftime.

The partially inflated air bladders 61-64, in particular, provide apillow-like effect to the vehicle seat 50 that is similar to a leathercouch used in a living room. Further, with the support plate 86 inplace, the seat portion 56 of the vehicle seat 50 is given a uniformsupport across the partially inflated air bladders 61-64 to accommodatethe support plate 86 positions G-J, as shown in FIGS. 12A-12B and13A-13B.

Further, the air bladders 61-66, 71-75 are configured to inflate to thefully inflated inflation level F shown in FIG. 7C, when a collisionevent is sensed by the controller. Thus, it is contemplated that thecontroller used to control the inflation levels of the air bladders61-66, 71-75 may receive a signal from an on-board vehicle computer toindicate that a collision event has occurred. Based on this signal, thecontroller can inflate the air bladders 61-66, 71-75 to an appropriateinflation level, such that the air bladders 61-66, 71-75 serve asadditional impact protection, in order to prevent the vehicle occupantfrom making contact with the metal frame 81 (FIG. 8) of the vehicle seat50.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described invention and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of theinvention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who receive this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces maybe reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structuresand/or members or connector or other elements of the system may bevaried, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided betweenthe elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/orassemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide varietyof materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of awide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, andomissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, andarrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present invention, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seat, comprising: a seat portion havinga cushion disposed on a frame and air bladders disposed on the cushion;an inflation system positioned under the seat portion and defining afully-inflated level of the air bladders in response to a collisionevent; and dedicated air passageways centrally bundled to verticallyextend between the air bladders and through the frame and placing eachair bladder in individual fluid communication with the inflation system.2. The vehicle seat of claim 1, further comprising: a support platesupported on the air bladders, and wherein the air passageways arecentrally bundled between the air bladders and under the support plate.3. The vehicle seat of claim 2, wherein each of the air bladdersdisposed on the cushion is attached to a respective air passageway ofthe air passageways centrally bundled between the air bladders, whereineach respective air passageway extends between the inflation system anda respective air bladder of the air bladders disposed on the cushion. 4.The vehicle seat of claim 2, wherein the support plate is asubstantially planar support plate.
 5. The vehicle seat of claim 2,wherein the support plate is supported on the air bladders between aforward tilt position, a rearward tilt position, a right tilt positionand a left tilt position, wherein the forward, rearward, right and lefttilt positions are at least partially defined by operation of theinflation system.
 6. The vehicle seat of claim 1, including: a pluralityof air bladders disposed in a seatback portion.
 7. The vehicle seat ofclaim 6, wherein each air bladder of the air bladders disposed in theseat portion and the plurality of air bladders disposed in the seatbackportion are separately and independently controlled by a controller incommunication with the inflation system.
 8. The vehicle seat of claim 7,wherein the controller activates the inflation system to inflate eachair bladder of the plurality of air bladders disposed in the seatportion and the plurality of air bladders disposed in the seatbackportion between a deflated level, a semi-inflated level and thefully-inflated level as determined by the controller.
 9. A vehicle seat,comprising: a seat portion; a plurality of air bladders disposed in theseat portion and operated via centrally bundled air passageways; asupport plate supported on the air bladders; and a controller configuredto control an inflation level of the air bladders, wherein each airbladder of the plurality of air bladders is selectively andindependently controlled by the controller and the air passageways toadjust a position of the support plate.
 10. The vehicle seat of claim 9,wherein the support plate is a substantially planar support plate. 11.The vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein the support plate is supported onthe plurality of air bladders between a forward tilt position, arearward tilt position, a right tilt position and a left tilt position.12. The vehicle seat of claim 9, including: a plurality of air bladdersdisposed in a seatback portion.
 13. The vehicle seat of claim 12,wherein each air bladder of the plurality of air bladders disposed inthe seat portion and the plurality of air bladders disposed in theseatback portion are separately controlled by the controller to inflateto a predetermined inflation level.
 14. The vehicle seat of claim 9,wherein the plurality of air bladders disposed in the seat portion areconfigurable between a deflated level, a semi-inflated level and afully-inflated level as determined by the controller.
 15. A vehicleseat, comprising: a seat portion having a metal frame with a cushiondisposed thereon; air bladders of the seat portion positioned over thecushion; and an inflation system operated by a controller, the inflationsystem positioned under the seat portion and having a plurality ofdedicated air passageways extending from the inflation system andcentrally bundled to extend vertically through the metal frame and acentral area between the air bladders, the controller adapted to operatethe inflation system to selectively and independently deliver air toeach of the air bladders via the central area between the air bladdersof the seat portion.
 16. The vehicle seat of claim 15, including: airbladders disposed in a seatback portion, wherein a cushion material ispositioned between the air bladders in the seatback portion and a metalframe of the seatback portion.
 17. The vehicle seat of claim 16, whereineach of the air bladders disposed in the seat portion and the airbladders disposed in the seatback portion are separately controlled bythe controller and the inflation system.
 18. The vehicle seat of claim16, including: a support plate supported on the air bladders disposed inthe seat portion, wherein the air bladders of the seat portion aredisposed between the support plate and the cushion material of the metalframe of the seat portion, and wherein the plurality of air passagewaysbundled at the central area are positioned under the support plate. 19.The vehicle seat of claim 18, wherein each air bladder of the pluralityof air bladders disposed in the seat portion are separately controlledby the controller to adjust a position of the support plate.
 20. Thevehicle seat of claim 19, wherein the support plate is supported on theplurality of air bladders between a forward tilt position, a rearwardtilt position, a right tilt position and a left tilt position.